iOS 18.5 Nearly Here
Apple has slipped iOS 18.5 into the “release‑candidate” stage, which is tech‑speak for “practically finished unless someone finds a show‑stopping bug”. That means the public build should hit Software Update within days rather than weeks. While the update won’t set the world alight with new emojis or AI fireworks, it does three things that matter in day‑to‑day life: it tidies up Mail, tattles on Screen Time pass‑code shenanigans and beams satellite messages to the whole iPhone 13 family. Let’s dive in.
Inbox re‑tuned – Mail that minds its manners
Mail’s redesign in iOS 18 was… divisive. iOS 18.5 smooths some of those rough edges:
“All Mail” promoted to the top level. No more spelunking through side‑bars; the universal inbox now sits beside Favourites.
In‑app toggles for contact photos and grouping. Tap the three‑dot menu, and you can turn sender avatars on or off and kill the “Group by Sender” bundle view – without a detour to Settings.
Taken together, it’s a small but welcome nod to power users who triage hundreds of messages a day.
Screen Time that actually snitches
Parents have long complained that clever kids memorise the Screen Time pass‑code, bust the limits, and scroll on. In iOS 18.5, the minute that pass‑code is entered, the Family‑Sharing organiser gets a notification. No more secret late‑night TikTok marathons – at least, not without Mum or Dad knowing.
Older iPhones reach orbit – satellite messaging for iPhone 13
Carrier‑powered satellite connectivity (think T‑Mobile’s forthcoming Starlink Direct‑to‑Cell and similar) was previously limited to iPhone 14 and newer. iOS 18.5 flips the switch for the entire iPhone 13 line – mini, Pro and Pro Max included – so you can fire off blue bubbles even when the nearest phone mast is 200 km away.
However, as of now, no UK carriers have announced support for carrier-based satellite messaging. While Apple has expanded its own “Messages via Satellite” feature to the UK for iPhone 14 and later models, this service operates independently of carrier networks and is limited to specific functionalities.
Therefore, iPhone 13 users in the UK will not be able to utilise satellite messaging features until local carriers implement and support the necessary infrastructure (as far as I’m aware).
Release timetable – the finish line looms
RC build 22F75 landed for developers and public testers on 6 May 2025.
Apple typically ships the public version within a week, so pencil in the week commencing 12 May 2025 for general release – barring any last‑minute gremlins.
If your iPhone is an XR/XS or newer, you’re on the guest list.
Bottom line
iOS 18.5 isn’t a spectacle; it’s a spring‑clean. But if you live in Mail, parent a tech‑savvy teen, or cling proudly to an iPhone 13, these tweaks feel tailor‑made. And with the release‑candidate already out in the wild, you won’t have long to wait before hitting “Download and Install”.